In our recent series on what we termed “super supplements,” we took a good look at a select few natural remedies that have been widely popularized, especially in the United States. As we see it, our selected nutrient products are singled out as superior as much for their public demand as for their staunch ability to address what can only be described as an amazing assortment of potential health benefits.
Even though that series ended several months ago, we decided to bring Omega-3 fatty acids as a late entry into this discussion. And it is easy to see why. We have lost track of the number of times that we’ve focused a blog on a particular health issue that begs for natural remedies that can provide protection against or treatment of such an issue . . . and Omega-3s keep popping up. These fish oils have been found suitable to help heart health, bolster brain function, enhance eye health, and “incapacitate” inflammation, and that’s just for starters. Okay, we might have gone a bit too far with alliteration on the inflammation part, but you get the picture.
A Basic Primer on Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You’ve heard the expression of “healthy fats,” right? That is no oxymoron or contradiction of terms. There are fats that are known to be good health-inducing nutrients despite their content of fat, which in many people’s minds is a nasty word. Foods such a salmon and avocadoes come to mind and fit well into a healthy diet, with the caveat you are advised against overeating them. Their calories count, too.
Omega-3s are classified as polyunsaturated fats, referring to a type of healthy dietary fat characterized by two or more carbon double bonds in their structure. : Like omega-6 fatty acids, omega-3s are essential for your body although your body can’t manufacture them. Saturated fats (think butter, cheese, red meat, etc.), by contrast, are considered unhealthy (bad) for your body – the more you eat, the more at risk you are of an eventual meetup with diseases such as heart disease.
Your body can’t produce enough omega-3s on its own to be sufficient for maintaining your overall health. That makes sourcing omega-3s from food or nutritional supplements that much more essential for your well-being. It’s also important to note that there are three main types of fatty acids in omega-3s: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).
5 Health Benefits Available from Omega-3s
We have already given brief examples of Omega-3s’ health benefits. Let’s examine five of the key benefits in some more detail. In no particular order:
Alleviate multiple sclerosis (MS). A 2021 review of more than 5,000 studies of people afflicted with MS indicate that fish oil supplements such as omega-3s might aid in decreasing inflammation and enhance quality of life for MS patients.
Reduce elevated blood pressure. Although fish oil alone can’t thwart cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, it can address risk factors by increasing “good” (HDL) cholesterol, reducing the fat in your bloodstream known as triglycerides, and tapping the brakes on the rate of plaque buildup that hardens and blocks arteries.
Promote fetal development. Scientific studies reported in the last decade support the notion that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy might be responsible for fewer instances of preterm birth, reduced risk of low birthweights, and decreased risk of severe infant illness, death, or the need for neonatal intensive care.
Support eye health. Healthy levels of omega-3s can aid in visual development and protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to blue light, among other means of supporting healthy vision.
Alleviate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Research has shown fish oil to have some success in tamping down RA symptoms such as joint tenderness, morning stiffness, and swelling.
There are other potential health benefits afforded by Omega-3 fatty acids not listed here: you might want to look them up for yourself by clicking on one or more of the sourced links in this blog. If you are considering adding an omega-3 supplement to your repertoire of nutritional supplements, it is recommended you discuss such a possibility with your personal physician or other properly licensed healthcare professional.